Literarily, to come out means to emerge, to step forward, and to become known. To come out is an action word. It also indicates movement from one position or state to another. In this context, it represents stepping out of an undesirable state to a favorable state.
An object will remain in a state of rest or in uniform motion, unless it is acted upon by an external force. – Newton’s first law of motion.
The above scientific law is a reminder that as humans, we have the tendency to remain at our seemingly comfort level without trying to venture out. According to this law, an external force is needed to make a desired change. So, today, a form of external force – the spiritual force is calling you to come out.
Let us journey through the story of Lazarus of Bethany in John11 verses 1- 43 as we see what coming out entails.
The first sixteen verses give an overview of Lazarus illness and how his sisters turned to Jesus for help. However, Jesus purposely waited at Jerusalem for Lazarus to die before going to Bethany so that He can display His power over death. Mary and Martha waited for Jesus to show up in a particular way but He had a better plan and showed up at the perfect time.
Come out irrespective of the time frame.
17Now when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb for four days.18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.
You may be accustomed to a particular way of life, but that is due to your limited vision. Please do not be carried away by the sincere presence of your pity party, I know they mean well but it is time to move forward and step into your new season.
I am the resurrection and life
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.21 Martha said to Jesus. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 but even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You”.
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again”.
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?
27She said to Him, “Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.
During the dialogue between Martha and Jesus, Martha was not afraid to express her feelings to Jesus, her friend We should not be afraid to express our feelings either. Martha recognized Jesus as the Son of God and as the Savior, but she was yet to experience Jesus as the one who can also raise the dead, although Jesus explicitly stated His ability to resurrect her brother.
Where have you laid him? It’s time to come out!
33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the Spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said “Where have you laid Him”? They said to Him. “Lord come and see”.
Jesus looked for Lazarus to set him free. He had to find where Lazarus’s body was placed in order to bring Him out. The same way, God is looking for you today to bring you out of those situations that do not glorify His name. He is constantly looking for opportunities to reach out to us.
Take away the stone!
38 Then, Jesus again groaning in Himself came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against. 39Jesus said, “Take away the stone”.
A stone was used to cover the tomb. It was a done deal; a finished assignment. The case of Lazarus seems closed, but Jesus came to the scene and asked that the stone be taken away. The stone was rolled across the entrance of the tomb. Whatever was hindering access had to be taken away for Lazarus to come out. I ask you today, what is hindering you from coming out? Is it your unbelief, low self esteem, your limited financial resources, or the lingering voices of defeat and hopelessness? Regardless of those situations, I declare that the stone hindering you is rolled away in Jesus name- Amen.
When God finds us, are we hindering His access to our lives with our busyness?
Jesus shouted, Lazarus come out!
43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus come out!”
After Jesus had given thanks, He called out Lazarus with a shout. He did not speak softly. You shout when you want to be heard. When you need to make an emphasis, you shout. You shout to subjugate. Just like the Israelites shouted with a loud voice and the walls of Jericho fell down.
44 And He who died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him and let him go”.
Halleluyah!! Lazarus came out and you are coming out as well. Jesus does not do half job. He called Lazarus out and asked that whatever is still holding him back be taken off, anything that is still a sign of his past condition (death) needs to be taken . You are loosed today from whatever is still holding you back in Jesus name. Christ has set you free; don’t walk in the mentality of bondage anymore.
So I declare to you today in the name of Jesus, in the name of the one who is able to bring the dead back to life:
